But perhaps more interestingly, video games fared pretty well in the poll. The Sony PlayStation was voted in at number 4 - ahead of the Personal Computer in 5th place. Launched in 1994, Sony's new console quickly challenged the dominance of console giants Nintendo and SEGA, and has been pinpointed by some as bringing video games to an older, more mature audience.

Meanwhile, Xbox LIVE was also voted as the 20th most essential invention by readers of the site. For a full list of the AskMen Innovation Awards click here.